Bumper shock absorbers

[66/440]

Has anyone had any experience replacing the bumper shocks?
Will a regular shock of the appropriate length work and what did you use to replace the rubber boot?

Sources and do's and dont's would be appreciated

 

[66/440]

Anybody....Bueller?

 

[Mr C]

Yes I have replaced these on C and M bodies over the years...I do not exactly know what you mean by a "regular shock". If by that term you mean a suspension shock, then no, they are totally different purposes.

I have always sourced replacements from a wrecking yard from a car that interchanged with mine at the time.

 

[66/440]

I was concerned that they might be under pressure when I disassembled them. I had an opportunity to take one apart over the week end and can see that the "shock" unit is vulcanized into the mounting tube. I have had some experience with industrial shock absorbers and spring mounts in the past and am wondering if there is something that might be used in place of the factory originals. I don't have any doubt that I can find a match for the studded end the "plate" end might have to be modified to fit. While the originals look to be in good condition I am concerned about degradation of the rubber bladder from exposure to the elements over 40 years.
As an aside I had a carb fire on a late 70's car with these shocks. Car burned completely to the ground. I was on the interstate in a rural area and it took some time for a fire unit to reach me. in the mean time a highway patrol unit had pulled in behind me and was watching the blaze. I mentioned that I had a full tank of fuel and that he might want to move back. He totally ignored my suggestion and a few minutes later after the bumper had melted off one of the shocks exploded and launched itself through his grill, AC condenser and radiator. Wow he was mad and was a total A** for the rest of the time I was there.

 

[68plymouth383]

Was your 70s fire car a brand x? The bumpers shocks, vibration dampers whatever you choose to call them. Unless the rubber is falling apart, or falling off I wouldn't worry about them. Steele rubber can re rubber parts like that are not reproduced.

 

[commando1]

If mine were kaput, I would just replace them with some fabricated spacers.
So the bumper won't compress 1-1/2" in a 5 mph hit. No biggie in my world
Or leave them be.

 

[66/440]

Was your 70s fire car a brand x? The bumpers shocks, vibration dampers whatever you choose to call them. Unless the rubber is falling apart, or falling off I wouldn't worry about them. Steele rubber can re rubber parts like that are not reproduced.

OK, this is embarrassing but in an effort to be fully transparent it was a 1978 Fairmont.
Before or after the barbs start.....I was broke and it was a bank repo I bought through my bank officer for $500 it ran good, got great mileage, rode like a wagon and leaked more oil than you could ever put in it. Insurance paid me $1700 when it burned so.....

 

[68plymouth383]

We won't burn you at the stake. You've seen the light now. Your not the only one I've heard that from, uses as much oil as you can add.

OK, this is embarrassing but in an effort to be fully transparent it was a 1978 Fairmont.
Before or after the barbs start.....I was broke and it was a bank repo I bought through my bank officer for $500 it ran good, got great mileage, rode like a wagon and leaked more oil than you could ever put in it. Insurance paid me $1700 when it burned so.....

 

[saylor]

that's too cool! I had a 77 Fairmont 4 door manual, totally primered and blacked out. I paid $450 and got totaled out in it and got like $1200.

I wish I had 10 more of them . . .

- saylor

 

[MrMoparCHP]

If mine were kaput, I would just replace them with some fabricated spacers.
So the bumper won't compress 1-1/2" in a 5 mph hit. No biggie in my world
Or leave them be.

That was my first thought, just eliminate them.


Alan

 

[commando1]

That was my first thought, just eliminate them.


Alan

Let's face it. What are the odds that your shocker car is going to up in a blazing inferno and launch missiles at law enforcement. Twice....

 

[66/440]

Let's face it. What are the odds that your shocker car is going to up in a blazing inferno and launch missiles at law enforcement. Twice....

Sounds kind of like a "Vanishing Point" sequel